Kettering University will receive $250,000 from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) in its efforts to support new and emerging businesses to develop into high-growth employers for the region.  Kettering is receiving one of only five grants that will be awarded by the MEDC.

Kettering President Stan Liberty said, “Over the past few years Kettering has been  methodically assembling capabilities, programmatic efforts and external support that will enable the university to assist in building a new ‘back to the future’ economy in this region.   This grant from the MEDC is one more welcome piece in this mosaic.  We are grateful for MEDC's support of our efforts and its vote of confidence in what we are doing.” 

Kettering Provost Michael Harris, who led the development of the proposal for the business incubator, said Kettering is very pleased with the announcement.  "We are delighted to receive this award from such a competitive grant program," he said, "and we're committed to be a hub for providing entrepreneurship services which has become more critical in the current difficult economic times.

"This is consistent with our efforts to enhance a culture of entrepreneurship on campus and to participate in the social and economic well being of the region," he continued.  "Our ongoing collaborations with the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce and other regional entities are part of Kettering's contribution to offset a decline in traditional manufacturing employment in mid-Michigan."

Kettering University TechWorks Director Neil Sheridan said the MEDC investment will allow Kettering to identify promising new innovators and help them with planning and growing their new businesses while they perfect the underlying technology.  “We will collaborate with our local, regional and state partners to launch these high-potential, rapid growth companies," Sheridan added.

Helping Kettering in the grant process was Michigan Representative Richard Hammel (D-Mt. Morris Township), vice chair of Appropriations and chair of Energy and Economic Development for the Michigan Legislature. 

Hammel said he is pleased to see that the good things happening in the community are also being recognized by the state.  "This award is an indicator of the economic development potential Kettering offers.  I am encouraged by the collaborative efforts made by multiple partners throughout the county to secure this award," he said.  “My hope is that this money will help TechWorks grow its research facilities -- attracting entrepreneurs and further solidifying Kettering's reputation as a leader in R&D."

Also assisting Kettering in achieving this grant was Tim Herman, CEO of the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce.  “The receipt of the MEDC grant is an important step in the growth and development of the TechWorks project at Kettering University,” Herman said.  “Every investment in the TechWorks program is an investment in our community’s redevelopment. The Regional Chamber we will continue to support this fine program and Kettering’s efforts to grow new businesses and jobs in Genesee County,” Herman added.

Harris noted that the goal for the $250,000 is to accelerate new technology that TechWorks will bring to investors and ultimately to the marketplace, an effort that will create local jobs.  Michigan's Federal Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) provides partial funding. 

For more on the MEDC, visit: http://www.themedc.org/ 

For more on Kettering University TechWorks, visit: http://www.ku-tw.com/

Written by Patricia Mroczek

810.762.9533

pmroczek@kettering.edu

The SHW Group's Detroit studio will design the new Science and Technology Incubator at Kettering University, in Flint, Mich. The incubator is the first building in Kettering University’s Technology Park and will be the first seeking LEED certification in Flint, according to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

"The mission of Kettering's new Science and Technology Incubator is to provide

resources and opportunities to encourage and grow high-tech entrepreneurship as a core

strategy for the economic development in mid-Michigan,” said Kettering University President Stan Liberty.

“This mission also supports the University's direction for the development of an entrepreneurial culture through not only educational programs but also faculty and student spin-off commercialization opportunities," Liberty added.

Slated for completion in 2009, the 9,000-square-foot, stand-alone structure will be

located on Bluff Street overlooking the Flint River and is orientated to anchor the future park as it looks back to the main Kettering campus, just east of the corner of Chevrolet Avenue and Bluff Street.

As Kettering Technology Park’s first building, the project sets the direction for infrastructure, building materials, planning flexibility, and tenant adaptability for future facilities.

It also establishes a benchmark for LEED certified construction in Flint. LEED Certification is the nationally accepted standard for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings.

It promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.

SHW Group designed the facility to be divided into public and private functional space,

each supporting scientific and technologically-based 'start-up' companies that need dedicated laboratory space during their first three to four years of business.

Amenities in the public space include a business center, furnished executive and administrative offices, a conference room with high-tech audio/video systems, a café vending and seating area, and a reception area. The private space will be home to six state-of-the-art wet and dry research laboratories. Each lab will be approximately 700 square feet and designed for easy division and addition.

Kettering’s Technology Park is home to Michigan’s Region 6 Small Business and Technology Development Center™, a program funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration to enhance Michigan’s economic well-being by providing counseling, training, research and advocacy for new ventures, existing small businesses and innovative technology companies.

About SHW Group

SHW Group is one of the world’s largest educational architecture and design firms, as ranked in the BD World Architecture’s 2008 The Big List. More than just an architecture firm, the company is known for its comprehensive collaboration with educators, cognitive researchers and strategic planners to design innovative facilities that support the learning process. Founded in 1945, SHW Group has grown to over 400 employees and seven studios nationwide. For more information, please visit www.shwgroup.com.

Information provided by SHW Group and Kettering University

Dawn Hibbard

810.762.9865

dhibbard@kettering.edu